CHATTING to a neighbourhood friend, Chloe Godland, 30, starts her pre-winter preparation.
She grabs some lengths of bubble wrap and a water bottle and starts working around the windows of her three-bed home.
“Have you lost the plot?” her friend asks – but it’s a comment Chloe isn’t bothered by.
Her wacky use of bubble wrap is actually a bill busting method to keep her house warm this winter.
“I’m super scrimper – I save around £3k in winter with all my tricks, which cost almost nothing,” she told The Sun.
BUBBLE WRAPPING WINDOWS
Chloe estimates that “bubble wrapping” her windows has saved her around £900 on her bills over the past three years.
“Bubble wrap is a cheap option for double glazing,” she explained.
“The bubble side stays on the window sealed with just water and captures heat from the sun, and at night time, it stops heat getting out.
“It’s upping the temperature of the room by two degrees and we don’t have to turn the heating on as much.”
Former receptionist Chloe, who lives in Leicester with her fiance, gym instructor Jack Gordon, 34, and their two and half year-old daughter Clemmie, isn’t alone with this trick.
Experts say bubble wrapping your windows is a proven winter heat saver.
The howtogosolart.org website reveals bubble wrap on windows can cut your energy bills in that area of the house by 50%.
This is money Chloe’s family really needs to save.
Jack earns just over £29,000 a year and the family pays £800 a month to rent a three bedroom.
“Once our bills are paid, we are left with £50 a month in the emergency fund,” Chloe said.
RICE AND SOCK TRICK
Chloe’s second winter hack involves a bag of own-brand rice, costing around 50p.
“I don’t cook rice – I collect all the long odd socks I can find and fill them with rice. They make great draught excluders along doors and windows.”
The Energy Saving Trust says draught-proofing around windows and doors could save you between £40 to £50 a year.
This isn’t the only way she used the rice.
“On cold nights I pop a rice-filled sock into the microwave with a little lavender or nice smelling essential oil for one and a half minutes.
“I put one into Clemmie’s bed so it’s warm when she gets in. Jack and I use them as lap warmers while watching TV. Bargain rice retains the heat.”
CHEAP DOOR CURTAINS
Chloe’s third winter warmer tip is using cheap curtains to hang over doors, creating a second layer.
“I buy the thick-double layered old-fashioned curtains in the home furnishings section for between five and ten quid,” she said.
“Doorways are some of the worst places for heat to escape, so adding an extra layer of insulation helps the heat stays in.”
According to University of Salford researchers drawing your curtains at dusk can reduce heat loss by around 15-17%.
“I have saved more than £630 on heating bills in three years doing this,” Chloe said.
BLANKETS ON WALLS
Chloe also hangs blankets around the walls in rooms she is in as an extra layer of insulation.
“The heat is trapped in the room and doesn’t get lost through the wall,” she said.
“I did it during the big freeze last December. The room temperature went up two degrees using my blanket hanging tip.”
The energysavingtrust.org.uk says 35% or more that a third of heat is lost through walls, so this trick could be a big energy saver.
LEAVING OVEN OPEN
Finally, Chloe always leaves her oven door “Whenever I use the oven in winter, I leave the door open when I turn it off,” Chloe said.
As a result, all the hot air flows out into the kitchen and other rooms – raising the overall temperature.
“It is heat that would have stayed in the oven and been lost.”
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won’t even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you’ve let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven’t browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
